Clinical counter-attacking, hard work, team spirit and a large chunk of luck. The personnel will be different but the same again from Arsenal will leave them well placed to defeat the kings of Europe.

Of course, the challenge is far greater in the Champions League, despite the progress Liverpool have made under Brendan Rodgers.

Bayern will arrive at Emirates Stadium as dominant favourites to repeat last season’s victory against the Gunners; under Pep Guardiola they have won 19 of their 21 Bundesliga matches to sit 16 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen in second. Since losing the second leg of their last-16 match against Arsenal on March 13, they have been defeated just twice in 51 games.

If the Gunners are to have any chance of defeating the European champions, they will need to replicate the key component parts of yesterday’s FA Cup success.

In one sense, they will have no excuses. For Arsene Wenger took a significant gamble in making seven changes and apparently compromising his best opportunity of silverware this season.

If this match signalled the start of Arsenal’s Olympics, as Wenger asserted pre-match, then it is clear he considers the FA Cup a bronze medal. Trophy-starved supporters greeted the team sheet yesterday with exasperation.

Yaya Sanogo made his first start for the club, while Carl Jenkinson, Lukasz Fabianski and Lukas Podolski were among the players who came in to give the regulars a breather ahead of Bayern.

It was a gamble that paid off. Arsenal recharged the batteries of several key personnel and still secured an important win. Wenger will face the same conundrum when the FA Cup returns next month because their home tie against Everton will come just three days before the second leg against Bayern, assuming ITV selects the match for its Saturday evening slot.

But, until then, Wenger can reflect on a performance that relied on several qualities they will need to show not just against Bayern but consistently on the run-in if they are to end this campaign with silverware. Despite the upheaval, Wenger selected a strong spine to his team. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were again paired at centre-back, protected by Mikel Arteta and the returning Mathieu Flamini, fresh from his three-game suspension.

While Mesut Ozil also continued in the advanced midfield playmaker role, that central quartet in behind provided the platform for a resolute display. Liverpool, just as Bayern are likely to do, had more possession and dictated the flow of the game for extended periods.

Arsenal rode their luck, with Daniel Sturridge missing two early chances to score and Luis Suarez testing Fabianski but, at the other end, they were lethal.Sanogo made a nuisance of himself all afternoon — albeit looking extremely raw in the process — and the chaos that he created enabled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to sidefoot home in the 16th minute to hand Arsenal an advantage.

Just after Suarez wasted another scoring opportunity moments after the interval, Podolski emphatically finished another counter-attack. Having got their advantage, Arsenal were then required to dig in.

Steven Gerrard halved the deficit with a penalty after Podolski fouled Suarez and only referee Howard Webb can explain why Liverpool were not awarded a second spot-kick just minutes later after the Uruguayan fell under a clumsy tackle from Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Gerrard should have been sent off shortly afterwards for a second yellow card after a late tackle on Oxlade-Chamberlain but, by then, Liverpool deserved to be level. Luck and benefiting from refereeing decisions has forever been a part of securing an advantage in tight matches — both may be required again when Bayern arrive in north London.

Fabianski, who has already signalled his intention to quit the club, was required to make further interventions as Arsenal clung on. The euphoric celebrations at the final whistle from several players including Mertesacker and Flamini underlined the importance of securing a win during this key period and perhaps burying a few demons from the 5-1 mauling against the same opposition in the process.

“It was vital for us to respond to the disappointing performance we had against Liverpool last week,” said Wenger. “It was vital as well because we had an opportunity to go to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

“I am very pleased with the intensity of our commitment and our response, our determination. You could feel there was a clinical desire in my team to take every opportunity to kill them.”

Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud can all expect to return to the starting line-up against Bayern. Tomas Rosicky may also be included, given Wenger’s preference for using the midfielder as a big-game specialist.

The challenge on Wednesday is more daunting than that posed by a resurgent Liverpool, whose major flaw remains a suspect defence. Bayern have conceded two goals in their last nine matches and despite missing Franck Ribery and his likely replacement Xherdan Shaqiri through injury, they remain the most fearsome side in Europe.

Arsenal have it all to do over two legs but a replication of this performance will give them a chance.

Champions League: How every team in the last 16 will line up

Champions League: How every team in the last 16 will line up

1/16
AC Milan

The cash-strapped Rossoneri have suffered from a real exodus of talent in recent years, but in Mario Balotelli they have one of Europe's most talented strikers. Brazilians Kaka and Robinho are past their prime but can unlock any defence with their passing.

2/16
Arsenal

Arsene Wenger always likes his teams to play on the front foot, retaining possession of the ball for long periods. However, against Guardiola's Bayern Munich he may look for a more pragmatic display. A performance similar to that against Dortmund away in this year’s group stage – disciplined at the back and incisive on the counter – might be most effective against a Bayern side set up to slaughter defensively-weak opponents. The energy and pace of Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be vital.

3/16
Atletico Madrid

Coveted by several European clubs, Atletico’s Brazilian forward Diego Costa is the real danger man after scoring four goals in the group stages. Diego Simeone’s side have punched above their weight in Spanish football this year thanks to their effective counter-attacking and enterprising wide play.

4/16
Barcelona

It would have been bold, perhaps even foolish, for Gerardo Martino to try to reinvent the best passing team in the world when he arrived as manager. And he hasn’t – they’re still a hugely patient, possession-focused side, who press tirelessly when they haven't got the ball. However, their vulnerability at the back, especially from set-pieces, should be heeded by Manchester City.

5/16
Bayern Munich

Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola has instilled his passing ideals into this Bayern side, while still retaining the force going forward that was apparent under Jupp Heynckes. Philipp Lahm, a world-class full back, has been a revelation in midfield. Although they are missing star man Franck Ribery, this is one efficient unit and Guardiola’s side will likely adopt a pressing, attacking approach at Arsenal.

6/16
Bayer Leverkusen

For Leverkusen, the strength will come from the middle of the park. Lars Bender will probably be paired up with the club’s top European scorer this season, Simon Rolfes, in midfield, with the possible addition of Stefan Reinartz forming a solid trio. On the wings, Son Heung-Min and Gonzalo Castro can be dangerous, but the biggest task against PSG will be at the back: stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

7/16
Borussia Dortmund

Last season’s Champions League finalists are going through something of an injury crisis. A whole host of big name players – including Marco Reus, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Mats Hummels – are currently missing. However, hitmen Robert Lewandowksi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are still involved among others, meaning Dortmund can play their high-tempo, counter-attacking style.

8/16
Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has come under fire in the past for his supposedly defensive approach, and while it is true that Chelsea are solid at the back, they can be excellent going forward too. The attacking midfielders; Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard have sparkled in recent weeks and should do well against Galatasaray. The Blues’ failure to find a consistent central striker will still be a worry going forward for Mourinho.

9/16
Galatasary

It won't come as a surprise to Chelsea fans that Didier Drogba poses the biggest threat to their ambitions in the Champions League. The Ivorian remains an accomplished target man for a direct approach, whilst Wesley Sneijder's vision and technique are not to be underestimated. Yilmaz and Bulut can cause problems when cutting in from wide areas.

10/16
Manchester City

With such potent and diverse attacking options, it’s understandable that Manuel Pellegrini has favoured playing two up-front this season. But this can leave his team a man short in midfield and could be painfully apparent against a highly efficient Barcelona midfield. The aerial prowess of striker Dzeko could prove to be his best weapon against the Catalans.

11/16
Manchester United

As was made quite clear in Manchester United’s recent Premier League clash with Fulham, in which United fired in 81 crosses, David Moyes’ side like playing down the wings. But the Fulham game also highlighted the tactic’s pitfalls, so there may well be a change of plan against Olympiakos. The cup-tied Juan Mata will be a big miss for United, but might allow Wayne Rooney to thrive in the No10 role.

12/16
Olympiakos

Although the dominant force in Greek football, Olympiakos are probably the weakest side in the last 16. That being said, they do have some quality players with the likes of Vladimir Weiss and Javier Saviola. The loss of striker Kostas Mitroglou will be a big blow to their chances against Manchester United.

13/16
Paris Saint-Germain

Adept at keeping possession, PSG will probably look to press Milan high up the pitch. Zlatan Ibrahimovic provides the greatest threat after scoring eight goals in five games in the group stages, but with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura around there is a threat to Leverkusen from almost every part of the pitch. Verratti offers craft in midfield while Matuidi is an energetic box to box midfielder. Formidable.

14/16
Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are one of the most dangerous teams in this year’s tournament. Midfield pair Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric are experts at keeping possession while still maintaining a high tempo and up top, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been enjoying his best Champions League campaign yet. The argument over who should start between Jese and Gareth Bale – or, if they should both start – is an interesting sub-plot.

15/16
Schalke

Schalke have quality in the final third with Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and the possibility of a returning Julian Draxler, who could both damage Real Madrid on their day. The Spanish giants have a poor record in Germany which could be cause for optimism for the unfancied Germans.

16/16
Zenit St Petersburg

Luciano Spalletti's side scraped through the group stages and will be desperate to make the most of the chance they have been given to progress past the first knockout round. Against a Dortmund side that favours the counter attack, Zenit will be hoping to play their usual possession football with the likes of Hulk and Axel Witsel looking set to make an impact.